Plasma lithography–thin-film patterning of polymers by RF plasma polymerization II: Study of differential binding using adsorption probes

Citation

Goessl, A.; Golledge, S. L.; & Hoffman, A. S. (2001). Plasma lithography--thin-film patterning of polymers by RF plasma polymerization II: Study of differential binding using adsorption probes. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 12(7), 739-753.

Abstract

In this study we present methods to physico-chemically modify micropatterned cell culture substrates that were manufactured using plasma lithography to incorporate affinity structures for specific cell binding. The surfaces consist of a pattern of a fluorocarbon plasma polymer with feature sizes between 5 and 100 microm on a background of a non-fouling tetraglyme (tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether) plasma polymer. The tetraglyme polymer blocks virtually all non-specific binding of proteins, and it is non-adhesive for a fluorocarbon-polyethylene glycol (FC-PEG) surfactant designed to act as a 'hydrophobic anchor' for peptides. The surfactant shows a strong affinity for the fluorocarbon polymer pattern, thus enabling us to form a pattern of the surfactant-conjugated peptide. To verify this, we have synthesized a conjugate between histamine (as a model for a more complex peptide) and a commercially available FC-PEG surfactant. Disuccinimidyl carbonate was used to activate the terminal -OH group of the polyethylene glycol headgroup for the reaction with the amine-containing molecule. Affinity pattern formation can easily be achieved by immersion of the patterned substrates in a solution of the peptide-surfactant conjugate. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy in the imaging mode was used to verify that the surfactant localizes on the pattern, while the background remains bare. A model protein, bovine serum albumin, showed the same behavior. This suggests that these surfaces can be used for the formation of patterns of cell-adhesive proteins. These substrates will be used to investigate the influence of the cell size and shape of vascular smooth muscle cells on their physiology.

Keyword(s)

Adsorption
Animals
Biocompatible Materials
Biomedical Engineering
Cattle
Ethylene Glycols
Fluorocarbon Polymers
Histamine
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Polyethylene Glycols
Protein Binding
Serum Albumin, Bovine
Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion
Spectrum analysis
Surface Properties

Reference Type

Journal Article

Secondary Title

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed

Author(s)

Goessl, A.
Golledge, S. L.
Hoffman, A. S.

Year Published

2001

Date Published

978307200

Volume Number

12

Issue Number

7

Pages

739-753

DOI

Plasma lithography--thin-film patterning of polymers by RF plasma polymerization II